Guide for drill pipe



May 23, 1933.

ITF

H. OSBORN GUIDE FOR DRILL PIPE Filed Dec. 30 1929 Patented May 23, 1933 iJNlTeD STATES PATENT oFFlcE HERBERT OSEBOBNE, F FULLEBTON, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB TO GHIXBAN OIL TOOL COMPANY, LIMITED, 0F FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, A. CORPORATION OF NEVADA.

Quinn ron DRILL PIPE l Application ledecember 80, 1939. Serial No. 417,288.

This invention relates to a device-for uset in connection with the drilling of wells and relates more particularly to a guidelfor ro-` tion and that is particularly adapted to tary drill pipe, casing, or other parts, that may be operated in a well duringdrilling operations.

ln the drilling of a well with vthe rotary method it is desirable to guide a drilling string in the open well bore below the end of the casing so that the drilling tool operated at the lower end of the drilling string operates to drill a straight hole. It is ageneral object ol the invention to provide an etiective and practical device tor guiding a string of drill pipe, or the like, within a well bore.

Another kobject oi the invention is to provide a guide for a part operating in a well bore that is Lci unitary and simple construe guide or to center the part in the open well bore in which casing has not been set.

Another object ol the invention is to provide a device olf the character mentioned that may be freely mounted on a drill pipe, or the like, so that it is not iorced to rotate with the ipe and inay be freely novable longitudinalu y oil the pipe between spaced projecting parts, such as spaced couplings, tool joints, or the like.

Another object-ol the invention is to pro= vide a guiding device oi the character mentioned that does not materially interiere with the ilree circulation of duid through the well bore.

Another object of the invention is to lpro vide a device of the character mentioned that is formed olf a rubber composition, or the like, that is readily slidable on the mudded walls oi the bore and is lubricated by the lubrication duid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a guide of the character mentioned that embodies an improved forni oi substantially rigid reinforcing core or center for the body oi? the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a guide i'or drill pipe, or the like, that is particularly simple of construction and inexpensive o manufacture,

Other objects and features oi my invenion will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which;- l

Fig. l is a sectional view of a portion of a well bore illustrating a drilling strin extending through it and showing they evice provided by this invention in operating position on the drilling string inthe open portion of the well bore below the lower end of the easing. FigD 2 is an enlarged top or plan view oi the device provided b ,this invention, being a view teiten as in icated by line 2-2 von Fig. l. lli 3 is a vertical detailed sectional view ta `en as indicated by line 3--3 on Fig. 2. Fig. t is a side elevation of the reinforcing core embodied in the present invention illustrating it apart from the .other parts of the device before being embodied in the body of the device..

The guide provided hy this invention is intended primarily to he arranged on the peru tion of a drilling string that normally operetes below the lower end ofthe set casing.y

lllhen employed in this position or situatipn, it operates to center or guide the drilling string so that the tool at the lower end oil the well bore is centered and held in a posii tion to drill a straight hole. It will be obvious that the device may be used on drill pipe, casing, or any other part, that may be operated within a well and may be located at various points within the well.l Further, any desired number ol devices or guides, may

spaced or arranged on the drilling string orv other operating part, as desired. In the Jfollowing detailed descri tion I will describe a single guide and will describe a simple method of retaining it on a rotary drilling string. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be considered as re stricted to this vparticular application or to be considered as limited to the particular form of the invention about to be described.

In the drawing, I have illustrated a rotary drilling string extending through a .well bore 10 and I have shown a portion of the string as consisting of twolengths of drill pipe 11 and a sub 12 arranged between the two sections of pipe 11. A sub 12 may be of substantially the same diameter as the drill pipe sections 11 andmay be mounted in the drilling string in any desired manner. lln the particular case illustrated in the drawing, ll have shownthe sub 12'attached to the sections of pipe 11 yby the usual tool joints 13. lin accordance with the general practice, the drilling string delivers circulation fluid to the bottom of the well and the sub 12 is, of course, provided with a duid passage.

The device provided by this invention includes, generally, a body 14 adapted to be arranged on the sub 12, a rigid reinforcing core 15 embedded in the body 1t, and projecting bearing or bore engaging parts 16.

The body 1d is preferably an integral part formed of a resilient material such as, a rubberl composition. The body 111 is tubular,

' having a central opening 17 passing the sub 12. The body ispreferably elongated and the opening 17 is suiliciently large to freely pass the 'sub 12 so that there is a certain amount of clearance. 'llhe outside diameter of the body 111 is preferably materially less than that of the well bore and the upper and lower ends of the body may be made dat or finished, as desired. llt is preferred that the body be somewhat shorter than the sub 12 or other part upon which it is mounted. The body, being proportioned in this manner, is free to move between the ends of the spaced tool joints 13 and is not forced or caused .to rotate with the drilling strin when in operation. llt is to be understood t at the manner of mounting the body 1d mentioned above is not to be taken as restricting the invention. The guide may be mounted on a length of drill pipe such as length 11 and may be mounted between any spaced projecting parts on a drilling string. Further, the device may be mounted between the spaced parts so as to be held ainst longitudinal movement if desired.

lln accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the body 1d is provided with a suitable reinforcing or strengthening means. Any suitable form of reinforcement may be embodied in the body 1d; however., the invention provides the simple and improved rigid core 15. llt is preferred to embed or mould the core 15 completely within the body so that it does not project from the body at any point.

lln accordance with the invention, the core is formed of coarse mesh metal or wire screenandmay vbe a single part or unit. Core 15 is tubular and is concentrically arranged in the bod Core 15 is shorter than the body M so t at it does not extend to the ends of the body and isembedded in the body between the' exteriorof the body and the wall of the opening 1]. The core 15 .may be formed of a single section or piece of screen' which has been shaped or curved so that its longitudinal nemesi edges are brought into abutment.` llt is preferred that the core be formed so that it has substantially circumferentially extending strands or wires 1,9 and so that it has substantially axially extending wires 20. By forming orshaplng the screen of which the core is formed, as described above, the opposite ends of the several circumferentially extend ing wires 15 are brought into abutment. These ends of the wires 19 may be secured together in any desired manner; for example, they maybe welded together, as shown at 21 in Fig. d of the drawing. "llhe opposite ends of the core 15 are preferably strengthened by rigid rings 22. rllhe rings 22 are of'substantially the same diameter as the core 15 and may have radially extending attened sides. rllhe ends of the various axial wires 20.0f the core may be secured to the rings 22 by welding. From the above, it will be seen 'that the core 15 is partic-ularly simple of formation and is extremely sturdy.

The formation engagingv parts i16am provided to engage the walls of the well bore 10 so that the drilling string is maintained in a substantially concentric position relative to the vertical axis of the well bore. 'llhere may be any desired number of parts 16 provided on the body, and-in the preferred form of the invention the parts 16 are formed integral with the body. lln the\particular case illustrated in the drawing, ,there are four bearing or formation engaging parts 16 symmetrically arranged about the central axis of the body. rll`he parts 16 extend longitudinally of the body and may extend the entire length of the body. The parts 16 are preferably formed comparatively heavy, being comparatively thick and are preferably provided with straight parallel sides 23. rllhe parts 16 are spaced and proportioned so that there is sumcient space between the sides 23 of the adjacent parts 16 to allow for the free passageof circulation fluid through the well bore. 'llhe outer ends or edges 2d of the parts 16 are formed equi-distant from the center of the body and are preferably curved about'the central axis of the body. rllhe edges 2li are preferably madesmooth and parallel to the central axis of the body so as to evenly engage the walls of the well bore 10. lin the preferred construction the parts 16 are proportioned so as to allow very little lateral movement of the drilling string within the well bore.

llt is believed that the utilityof the guide l.provided by this invention will be readily apparent from the 'foregoing detailed description. 'llhe guide, being formed in the manner above described, is particularly eflll@ is characteristic of rubber, that water, or like fluid, is particularly effective as a lubricant when in contact with the rubber. The device, being freely mounted on the sub 12, or like partof thel drilling string, is free to shift longitudinally of the string and is not forced or positively caused to rotate with the drilling string. In this manner, the parts 16 will not be caused to track or operate at, or on, a limited part of the well bore. v

The guide is proportioned so that it will not pass over the tool joints or couplings on the drilling string. The reinforcement is substantially rigid so that the guide yis positively prevented from passing over a tool joint or cou ling. The guide is therefore retained on t e length or pi ey on which it is arranged and is prevented rom shifting an excessive distance longitudinally ofA the string. l

Having described only a typical referred form of my invention, I do not wis to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or lull within the scope ofthe following claims.

Having described my invention, l claim: l. A. guide tor a tool operating member Within a vvell bore including, a body` oi resilient material adapted to be slidably moan"- ed between projecting parte on the operating member and having projecting Jformation engaging parts to prevent lateral movement oil the operating member, and a continuous circumferential reinforcing core in the body dii tor preventing radial expansion oi the body and formed of Wire netting having circumerentially extending Wires, the ends oi which are aoined.,

2. A ide ior a tool operating member Within a vvell bore including, a body of resilient material adapted to be slidablymount ed between projecting parte on the operating member and having projeotingiormation engaging partsfto prevent lateigal movement oi the operating member, and el continuous circumierential reinforcing core in the body tor preventing radial expansion of the body and formed oli Wire netting having a circumferentially extending Wire joined at its ends and a rigid ring attached to the end of the stantially concentric -annular strands, and axially extending strands.

within a well bore including, a tubular body of resilient material adapted to be slidably mounted between projecting parts on the operatng member and having projecting formation engaging parts to prevent lateral movement of the operating member, and a continuous tubular reinforcing core embedded concentrically in the body for preventing radial expansion of the body and, the core including tubular netting having continuous annular strands concentric with the axis of the body, axially extending strands, and a rigid ring attached to the end of the core.

5. A guide for a' tool operating member Within a well bore including, an integral tubular body of rubber adapted to be mounted on the operating member and having proiectin formation engaging parts to prevent latere movement of the member, and a continuous tubular ioraminous metal reinforcing ^core embedded within the body tor preventing radial ex ansion of the body and extending longitudinally ofthe body through the greater portion ofthe body, the said parts be-I ing symmetrically spaced about the axis of the member and having concentrically curved oui/er edges., 'Y

d. A guide tor a tool operating member Within a Well bore` including, an integral tubular body oi rubber adapted to be mounted on the operating member and having circumierentially spaced radially projecting formation en ging parts to prevent lateral movement o the member, and a tubular ioraminous metal reinforcing core molded within the body for preventing radial expension oi the body concentric vvitli the longitudinal axis of the body and extending through the greater portion of the body, the said parte extendin axially of the body and havin concentrical y curved outer edges.

7.,v g guide for an operating member Within a Well bore including, a tubular body oli rubber adapted to be mounted on the operating member and having projecting formation engaging parts to prevent lateral movement of the member in the well, and a continuous tubular foraminous lmetal reinforcing core embedded within the body and extending throughout substantially the entire length oi the body to prevent radial expansion of the body.

8. A guide for a tool operating member Within a Well bore including, an integral tubular body of rubber adapted to be mount ed on the operating member and having projecting formation engaging parts to prevent lateral movement of the member, and a continuous tubular foraminous metal rein- `foring core concentrically embedded in the guide for a tool operating member ldd,

liti

4 temeer length of the body to prevent radial expension of tbe body.

9. A. guide for n tool operating member Within e Well bore including, en integral tu- 5 bular body of resilient material adept/ed to be mounted on the operating member and heving projecting formation engaging parts to prevent lateral movement of the member, and n continuons tubular metal Wire netting )l0 reinforcing core completely embedded in the body to prevent radial expansion of the body. lin Witness that l claim the foregoing if y have hereunto subscribed my neme this 4th day of December, 1929. 5

t HERBERT SBURNE. 

